"you never really know a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around in them"

This philosophy of Atticus's is a re-occurring theme in many parts of the book. Atticus is found imparting this piece of wisdom to Scout at many times, for different reasons: after the incident with Walter Cunningham, when talking about Boo, and during the trial. Here, Scout remembers these times while standing on the Radley doorstep, seeing the world from their perspective. Here she reflects on the events of the past two years from the eyes of Boo, sees herself, her failings and triumphs, understands Boo's loneliness and why he did the things he did. In this way, Scout learns that there are often many viewpoints from which to look at an event or issue. Throughout the book many stereotypes and preconceptions are proved wrong, many things turn out not as they seem, and this moment represents Scout's understanding of this. While Scout is standing on Boo Radley's doorstep, an almost literal standing in someone else's shoes, she sees how sometimes things are not as they seem, and how dangerous it can be to make assumptions about people and situations.